ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Michael Thorbjornsen has recovered from knee surgery and, after removing his brace, delivered an impressive 8-under 64 on the Plantation course, taking a share of the lead with fellow Stanford graduate Maverick McNealy during the RSM Classic, the PGA Tour’s concluding event for the season.

Meanwhile, McNealy recorded an impressive round of 8-under 62 on the Seaside course at Sea Island, which faced more of the biting winds characteristic of the Golden Isles.

Despite dealing with his own knee challenges, Thorbjornsen was not the only player with injury struggles. Notably, Ludvig Aberg, ranked fifth in the world, had been absent from competition since the Tour Championship after undergoing meniscus surgery. He returned to the course where he famously matched the PGA Tour’s 72-hole scoring record.

While Aberg’s swing remained flawless, his short game proved to be a challenge, resulting in a round of 73 on the Seaside course. Reflecting on his performance, he stated, “It was hard. Obviously, it was a rough day. I felt a lot of rust, but I also noticed some good moments. It was a mixed bag today, yet I’m just glad to be back playing golf.”

Thorbjornsen, who ascended to the PGA Tour through his impressive performance as the top-ranked player in the PGA Tour University, faced his own difficulties after feeling a pop in his knee while preparing for the Black Desert Championship in Utah earlier in October. Initially believing he could walk it off, he soon found himself unable to walk at all. Ultimately, he faced a sprained ligament in his left knee that necessitated rest rather than surgery. Now back in action, he expressed relief at being free from his brace.

“It’s kind of amusing, really. I was practicing with Ludvig recently, and we both had matching left knee braces, which was a bit embarrassing,” Thorbjornsen shared. “This is my third round without the brace, and it feels amazing.”

The RSM Classic marks the last tournament of the year, highlighting the significance for the top 125 players; this is the final year that the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings will earn playing cards for the next season.

Among those in the spotlight are Zac Blair (ranked No. 123), Joel Dahmen (No. 124), and Wesley Bryan (No. 125). Bryan posted a score of 70 on the Plantation course, but Dahmen hindered his prospects with a 73, while Blair scored 72.

An additional statistic to watch is finishing between No. 51 and No. 60 in the FedEx Cup rankings, which would secure positions in the $20 million events at Pebble Beach and Riviera set for early next year.

McNealy’s play has assured him those highly sought-after spots. He focused on how his recent swing adjustments impacted his game and recorded several noteworthy moments, including a chip-in eagle from behind the 15th green. He also showcased impressive adaptability in tough conditions, having to adjust his normal shot strategy due to significant wind.

Starting on No. 10, he typically would use a driver over bunkers followed by a sand wedge, but the wind forced him to rely on a 5-iron to reach the green. “I just had to hit two solid shots to land in the center of the green,” he explained.

On the ninth hole, facing challenging wind, McNealy adeptly altered his approach. “I had to steepen my shot angle and managed to hit the perfect window to spin my ball left-to-right and hold the wind. This is a shot I couldn’t have confidently executed six months ago,” he noted.

Andrew Novak, fresh off a second-place finish in Bermuda, matched the day’s best score with a 7-under 65 on the Plantation course. After dealing with nearly 50 mph gusts in Bermuda, he found his Sea Island experience much more manageable.

“Today felt less windy than Bermuda, allowing me to be aggressive with my putting, and I was pleased to convert several of them,” Novak commented.